チーム191
Today, I had a full day to spare during the Bon holiday, so I decided to visit some Sunday-closed shops that I usually can't go to. I went to Kyodo, Izumi-Tamagawa, and then suddenly had some errands to run, which completely messed up my plans for the rest of the day. However, I considered it a good break and decided to visit a gourmet burger shop called "CHESS GARDEN" in Hatagaya that I had been wanting to try. "CHESS GARDEN" is a popular gourmet burger shop in Hatagaya founded by a former member of the famous "FELLOWS" burger shop in 2011. I had been curious about this place since I heard it was from "FELLOWS" and had been planning to visit it soon. Today, despite my plans being disrupted, I thought, "Let's go to the places I want to go!" and went with excitement. The shop is located on the left side of the south exit of Hatagaya Station, along Koshu Kaido (towards Sasazuka), in the 1st floor of an apartment building. The shop's sign is not very noticeable, and I accidentally passed by it. The interior has a slightly retro American dining atmosphere, which is quite nice. There are table seats and counter seats, and when I visited around 6:15 PM, there were no customers yet, only 2 customers arrived later. I looked through the menu on the table and decided to try the "Ginger Burger" that had caught my eye. However, I noticed a menu item called "Jalapeno Ginger Burger" (1495 yen) with a popular pop, so I immediately ordered that along with a Brooklyn Lager (886 yen). Soon, the Brooklyn Lager arrived, and I enjoyed a sip while waiting. After a few minutes, the Jalapeno Ginger Burger was served. It came in a basket with the burger, fries, and an empty pot for ketchup. The burger looked quite impressive, with well-cooked eggplant standing out. The patty looked meaty, and the buns seemed substantial, promising a delicious meal. I grabbed the burger tightly, unwrapped it, and took a bite. It was delicious! The thick patty had a strong charcoal-grilled aroma, a slightly coarse texture, juicy, and flavorful meat. The buns were soft but had a chewy texture, complementing the flavorful patty, eggplant, ginger, and jalapeno toppings. The eggplant was juicy and perfectly cooked, with a sauce that reminded me of "simmered eggplant," blending well with the charcoal-grilled patty. The jalapeno added a nice kick of heat, and the fresh tomato provided a sweet and tangy contrast. The lettuce was crisp and not watery, adding a nice crunch. The mustard mayonnaise on the bun enhanced the overall flavor, combining the unique tastes of eggplant and ginger sauce, spicy jalapeno, and the robust patty. Each ingredient had a strong presence but harmonized well together, creating a delicious burger experience.